Just do the most visible surfaces. Use an 100 grit paper to roughly go over the areas quickly then a second time with 220 grit paper to remove the sanding lines and leave the surface finely sanded. You can sand by hand or with an orbital or vibrating sander. Redwood sands easily.
How do you sand a redwood deck?
How to Sand a Redwood Deck
- Inspect the deck carefully for protruding nails and pound them down with a hammer. …
- Power-wash the deck to remove old finish, mold and grime. …
- Rent an oscillating flooring sander from a rental tool outlet. …
- Sand the entire deck with the coarsest paper first.
How do you make Redwood smooth?
Sand the deck with an oscillating floor sander to level cupped boards, smooth out splintered wood or remove finish that remains after pressure washing. Make at least two passes with the machine. Use 100-grit sandpaper on the first pass to level the wood, and 120-grit sandpaper on the second pass to erase scratch marks.
Do I need to sand Redwood before staining?
Use the wood brightener to further prepare the wood for new stain. If necessary, you can sand the wood once it dries to remove any remaining mill glaze that may hinder stain penetration. On new smooth redwood, sanding will also help soften the surface for better stain absorption although this step is not necessary.
What do you seal redwood with?
Apply a protective seal.
A high quality product like Preserva Wood with high UV protection and water repellent will give the best results. Use a brush or a roller to apply the stain to your redwood structure. Apply the finish on a cool day without wind, don’t treat your deck in the hot sun.
Do you need to seal redwood?
The application of sealants, paints or other finishes is not required to complete a redwood structure. … As weathering occurs to the finish, simply refinish the wood every few years to keep sealed or painted structures looking great.
Should you sand redwood?
Grit Guide for Sanding Redwood
We recommend you don’t sand and finish in the same room. We sand in our yard and have a separate space for finishing. Redwood is a softwood, so we recommended you start with 120 grit sandpaper. … Sanding redwood before applying finish is paramount.
Can redwoods rot?
The characteristics of redwood make it a popular choice for outdoor applications. … Yet even though redwood is more resistant to decay, it will eventually succumb to rot. By taking a few precautions, however, redwood will last for a lifetime or even longer, becoming rot-free for any practical purpose.
What oil do you use on redwood?
Danish Oil is our recommended finish for redwood mantels and shelves.
Can you use linseed oil on Redwood?
linseed oil, are not recommended on exterior redwood as they tend to promote mildew growth. Quality oil-based finishes, including those based upon linseed oil, contain mildewcides, and are appropriate for use on exterior redwood.
How do you refurbish a redwood deck?
- Step 1: Remove the Old Stain. Wash the loose flecks of stain from the deck with a power washer. …
- Step 2: Clean the Wood Deck. Use wood deck cleaner to give the now-bare wood a good cleaning to prepare for the new oil finish. …
- Step 3: Sand the Deck. …
- Step 4: Oil the Deck.
What grit sandpaper should I use to sand a deck?
Sand the Deck
Use 60- or 80- grit sandpaper on the main deck boards, and use 80- or 100-grit on the handrails. After sanding, vacuum the deck thoroughly to ensure that dust does not settle on the new finish.
How do you finish Redwood?
Saw-textured redwood holds stains, water repellents and bleaches up to twice as long as smooth-surfaced wood. Redwood grade marked Certified Kiln Dried will provide the best finish retention available. To avoid nail stains, use stainless steel, aluminum or top quality hot-dipped galvanized nails.
How do you finish a redwood bench?
To keep your redwood furniture looking as natural as possible, it’s wise to finish it with a light-penetrating sealer to keep out moisture and prevent mold. An outdoor deck sealer that consists of paraffin dissolved in a solvent will perform this function without making the wood look finished.
What lasts longer cedar or redwood?
Longevity and Value
Redwood is a harder wood than cedar. … Because it is a harder wood it will last longer and is more durable. Redwood has more natural occurring chemicals than cedar. This protects the wood so less maintenance is required over time.
How long will untreated redwood last?
Untreated redwood structures can last up to 30 years before succumbing to water damage. Still, some maintenance considerations are worth noting in order to extend the life of your deck or other outdoor structure.
Should you treat redwood?
Treatment is required if you want your redwood to last longer and retain its beautiful hue and finish. With proper staining and care, you can prevent your redwood from cracking and rotting, especially when exposed to water. The ideal sealant for maximum protection of any redwood deck is a semi-transparent stain.
How do I work for Redwood?
Working redwood in the shop
- Planing, ripping, routing, and jointing. In planing, take only a shallow cut to avoid chipping and tear-out. …
- Sanding. The contrasting hardness/softness of earlywood versus latewood can result in a wavy surface when hand-sanding, so always use a sanding block.
- Assembly. All glues work well.
Is Redwood a hardwood?
Hardwood trees are angiosperms, while softwood trees are gymnosperms. … Popular softwood lumber types include Redwood, Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar. Hardwood is often used for floors, furniture, decking, and trimming.
How do you maintain a redwood deck?
So, to sum up:
- Pressure wash your deck rather than sanding it.
- Clean and treat your deck with a preservative every two years.
- Remove any mildew by pressure washing thoroughly.
- Use a pressure washer with at least 1,500 psi.
- Use the fan setting on the nozzle and keep it moving to prevent a ripple effect.
Does Redwood need to be primed?
Redwood ranks in the highest category for painting and finishing… Use one coat of an oil- or alkyd resin-based primer for redwood. … Weathering at this time reduces the paint-holding quality of the wood surface. If some weathering does occur, clean the wood surface and lightly sand to prepare it for priming and painting.
Why does Redwood turn black?
Redwood exposed to iron and water causes the naturally-occurring tannins to react, forming dark staining. This can happen in any species of wood with high tannin content. Redwood color restoration for iron stain can be accomplished using the oxalic acid solution described above.
When Should I seal my redwood deck?
Before sealing, newly installed redwood decks need time to match the humidity levels of their environment. If you try to seal the wood prior to this, you may trap moisture inside the wood, so wait at about 3 to 4 weeks before sealing and finishing your redwood deck.